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Home ยป Recipe Index ยป Dinner and Main Course Recipes

Sloppy Joe Recipe

Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight Jessica Randhawa
February 4, 2025
4.84 from 56 votes


Last Updated March 6, 2025 | 12 Comments

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This Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe combines budget-friendly ingredients like ground beef, onions, and bell peppers, all simmered in a tangy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned sauce. It’s the perfect busy weeknight dinner and incredibly delicious served on toasted hamburger buns.

Craving more? Try this fun twist on the classic sandwich with my Sloppy Joe Casserole, or go meat-free and try my Vegetarian Sloppy Joe Recipe that uses lentils instead of ground beef.

Homemade sloppy joe mixture sandwiches between a toasted hamburger bun.

About This Recipe

Sloppy joes, filled with ground beef and hidden veggies in a flavorful sauce, are a childhood classic. Today, I’m sharing the best sloppy joe recipe, plus tons of easy modifications and cooking tips!

  • Taste: Rich, tangy, and slightly sweet with plenty of beefy flavor.
  • Difficulty: So easy! Ready in just 30 minutes.
  • Freezer-Friendly: Yes.
  • Top Tip: Remember to toast your buns! Toasting adds a subtle crunch and helps prevent them from getting soggy when the meat mixture is added.

Table of Contents

  • About This Recipe
  • What is a Sloppy Joe?
  • Top Tips
  • How to Make This Sloppy Joe Recipe
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Sloppy Joe?

The sloppy joe is a popular American sandwich that combines ground beef, onions, tomato sauce (or ketchup), and seasonings on a hamburger bun. It originated in the 1930s, when “loose meat” sandwiches were popular. These sandwiches were made with ground beef on a bun, mixed with onions, and topped with cheese.

The sloppy joe found its place when a cook named Joe, working at a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches.

Large wooden spoon filled with a large serving of ground beef sloppy joe mixture.

Top Tips

  • For more tanginess, add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, or add a splash of pickle juice.
  • For more heat, add chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red chili flakes. Start with a small amount (around 1/2 teaspoon) and adjust according to your heat preference. You can also add diced jalapeño peppers at the same time as the green bell pepper and onion or add a dash of hot sauce.
  • For more veggies, sauteed chopped mushrooms blend seamlessly with the ground beef and sauce.
  • For more tomato flavor, add a half-cup of tomato sauce with one tablespoon of tomato paste.
  • Make-ahead: The sloppy joe mixture benefits from being made ahead, giving the flavors time to deepen and meld together. Cook the entire mixture a day or two before and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave when ready to serve.

How to Make This Sloppy Joe Recipe

1. Brown the ground beef. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and crumble the ground beef until browned. Once cooked, transfer the meat to a fine-mesh strainer to drain and discard the excess grease. Return the beef to the skillet.

2. Soften the veggies. Set the skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, onion, and bell pepper, mixing well to combine. Cook until soft, about 6-8 minutes.

One pound of raw ground beef in a large skillet.
Finely diced green bell pepper and onion and two tablespoons of butter added to a large skillet filled with browned and drained ground beef.

3. Make the sauce and season. Stir in the ketchup, chicken broth, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper—season with chili powder or red chili flakes (optional).

4. Cover and cook. Cook for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If necessary, reduce the heat to low to prevent burning.

Ketchup, chicken broth, yellow mustard, brown sugar, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper added to a skillet filled with browned ground beef and softened onion and green bell pepper.
Sloppy Joe meat mixture simmering in a large skillet.

5. Add the cheese. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of cheese until melted, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Remove from heat and cover with a lid. Let it rest just until the cheese has melted, about 3 minutes.

Shredded cheddar cheese added to a large skillet filled with sloppy joe meat mixture.
Cheesy sloppy joe meat mixture in a large skillet.

7. Serve. Garnish with freshly sliced green onions. Serve sandwiched between your favorite toasted hamburger buns.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Below are notes and possible substitutions for the ingredients in this Sloppy Joe Recipe. You can find the complete list of ingredients and the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Ingredients for Sloppy Joe Recipe measured out and set aside in individual serving bowls.

Ground beef: Ground beef is the original go-to ground meat for sloppy joes. It’s tasty and wallet-friendly (most of the time), and kids love it. I suggest using 85-90% lean ground beef but use whatever works for you. This recipe is also great with ground chicken or ground turkey.

Butter: This sloppy joe recipe recommends draining the excess grease from the ground beef and adding butter. The purpose of adding the butter is purely flavor-based. Butter is rich and creamy and helps soften other more prominent flavors (garlic, ketchup, and mustard, for example).

Veggies: Green bell peppers and onion are the classic additions, so that’s what I’ve added here. Celery can be substituted for the bell pepper.

Sauce: The “sauce” consists of ketchup, chicken broth, yellow mustard, brown sugar, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Feel free to substitute the chicken broth with beef broth and season with additional salt and black pepper.

Cheddar cheese (optional): Original sloppy joes recipes did not include melted cheese, but I love the added richness and gooey texture. Feel free to omit cheese from the recipe or try a different variety of cheese like provolone or Pepper Jack.

Do you love this one-pan, tangy, beefy, and delicious sloppy joe recipe? Be sure to check out my easy Hamburger Recipe, Meatloaf, Hamburger Helper, and (best) Chili Recipe.

Large skillet filled with rich and meaty sloppy joe mixture covered with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with diced green onions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Manwich and Sloppy Joe’s?

Manwich is a premade, shelf-stable, store-bought can of tomato-based sloppy joe sauce meant to be added to precooked ground beef and onions. This combination of Manwich with ground beef on a bun makes a sloppy joe. The original Manwich was invented in 1969 by ConAgra Foods and Hunt’s. 

What should I add if my sloppy joe mixture is too runny? Too thick?

If your sloppy joe mixture is too runny, allow the mixture to simmer on low heat without a lid until excess moisture evaporates and the sauce naturally thickens. Alternatively, tomato paste will help thicken the sauce and amplify the flavor. If the mixture is too thick, gradually stir in water or broth until you reach the desired consistency.

How can I make sloppy joes healthier?

There are a few ways to make this sloppy joe recipe healthier. Add lean ground beef (90% lean or higher), ground turkey, or ground chicken, and bulk up the sauce with sneak veggies like shredded carrots, celery, or mushrooms. Finally, reduce the amount of brown sugar or omit it altogether.

What can I serve with Sloppy Joe Sandwiches?

My grandmother served us sloppy joes with buttery corn on the cob, potato chips, pickle spears, and creamy coleslaw. Some other great options include a garden salad, seasonal fruit salad, baked beans, sweet potato fries, or mac and cheese.


Have any questions? Drop me a message in the comment section below! I’m happy to help. And, if you enjoy this recipe, please rate it with some STAR LOVIN’ so other readers know to try it too! Tag me at #theforkedspoon. I’ll be sure to share! Thank you!

Homemade cheesy sloppy joe mixture sandwiches between a toasted hamburger bun.

RECIPE CARD

Homemade sloppy joe mixture sandwiches between a toasted hamburger bun.

Sloppy Joe Recipe

4.84 from 56 votes
AuthorAuthor: Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa
This Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe combines budget-friendly ingredients like ground beef, onions, and bell peppers, all simmered in a tangy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned sauce. It’s the perfect busy weeknight dinner and incredibly delicious served on toasted hamburger buns.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Beef, Dinner, Main Course, Sandwich
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
Calories 568 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 1 large onion - finely chopped
  • 1 large green bell pepper - deseeded and finely chopped
  • ½-1 cup ketchup - add according to your preference
  • ¼ cup chicken broth - water or beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • salt and black pepper - to taste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder or red pepper flakes - optional, for heat
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese - freshly shredded, divided, optional
  • 6 hamburger buns
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Instructions
 

  • Heat a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Cook and crumble the ground beef until browned. Once cooked, transfer the meat to a fine-mesh strainer to drain and discard the excess grease. 
  • Return the beef to the skillet.
  • Set the skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, onion, and bell pepper, mixing well to combine. Cook until soft, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Stir in the ketchup, chicken broth, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper—season with chili powder or red chili flakes (optional).
  • Cook for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If necessary, reduce the heat to low to prevent burning.
  • Stir in 1 1/2 cups of cheese until melted, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Remove from heat and cover with a lid. Let it rest just until the cheese has melted, about 3 minutes.
  • Garnish with freshly sliced green onions. Serve sandwiched between your favorite toasted hamburger buns.

Jessica’s Notes

Serving size is one sloppy joe sandwich on a hamburger bun. This recipe makes six sandwiches.
Variations and ingredient substitutions:
  • For more tanginess, add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, or add a splash of pickle juice.
  • For more heat, add chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red chili flakes. Start with a small amount (around 1/2 to 1 teaspoon) and adjust according to your heat preference. You can also add diced jalapeño peppers at the same time as the green bell pepper and onion or add a dash of hot sauce.
  • For more veggies, sauteed chopped mushrooms blend seamlessly with the ground beef and sauce.
  • For more tomato flavor, add a half-cup of tomato sauce with one tablespoon of tomato paste.
  • Ground beef: I suggest using 85-90% lean ground beef. You can substitute ground chicken, turkey, or pork.
  • Cheddar cheese (optional): Original sloppy joes recipes did not include melted cheese, but I love the added richness and gooey texture. Feel free to omit cheese from the recipe or try a different variety of cheese like provolone or Pepperjack.
What should I add if my sloppy joe mixture is too runny? Too thick?
If your sloppy joe mixture is too runny, simmer uncovered over low heat until excess moisture evaporates and the sauce naturally thickens. Alternatively, tomato paste will help thicken the sauce and amplify the flavor. If the mixture is too thick, gradually stir in water or broth until you reach the desired consistency.
Leftovers and Freezing:
  • Leftovers: Place leftover sloppy joe mixture in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Allow the mixture to cool completely before transferring to freezer-friendly bags or containers. Freeze for up to 4 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave before serving.
Updated on Feb. 4, 2025, with new images and updated recipe.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 568kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 995mg | Potassium: 514mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 805IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 366mg | Iron: 3mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

3.0K shares
Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

About Jessica Randhawa

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Angela says

    May 1, 2025 at 12:06 pm

    5 stars
    Hi, I’ve been making this recipe for awhile now and my family loves it. I pulled up my saved tab today and noticed the recipe is different. Is there original one I could have a copy of? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa says

      May 1, 2025 at 12:42 pm

      Hi there! I’m so glad to hear you and your family have been enjoying the recipeโ€”that truly means a lot! The good news is the recipe itself hasn’t changed much; I’ve also updated the post to make the information more helpful and easier to follow. I encourage you to try to the new recipe, but I will go ahead and email you the old one ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Ann says

    August 12, 2024 at 3:57 pm

    5 stars
    I tried this recipe tonight. I lost the recipe I had been using and this one looked good. I did omit the red pepper flakes. We canโ€™t eat anything spicy, but did everything else.

    Does anyone else put coleslaw on their sloppy joes or it just a regional thing?

    Reply
  3. Ann says

    December 12, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe that didnโ€™t require tweaking. The flavor profile is excellent and perfect for my family. I did reduce the red pepper flakes but otherwise followed the directions. I keep a well stocked pantry and fridge so this was convenient to make when searching for a quick and tasty dinner option. Iโ€™ll certainly make this again.

    Reply
  4. Arthelia Miller says

    March 15, 2021 at 11:05 am

    5 stars
    I enjoyed these, thet had great flavor and was simply made. Oh! I added a little smoke and BBQ sause to mine๐Ÿ˜Œ

    Reply
    • Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa says

      March 15, 2021 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks for the kind feedback Arthelia ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  5. Barbara says

    February 18, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    5 stars
    This sloppy joe recipe is the bomb!! The last time I had sloppy Joeโ€™s I was a kid. The sauce part of this recipe is perfect. Will be rotating this into our dinner menu more often. Thanks

    Reply
    • Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa says

      February 18, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      Thanks for the bomb feedback, Barbara ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  6. Laura Sisco says

    February 8, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    5 stars
    I couldnโ€™t add the vegetables, chili powder or red chili flakes due to my husbands dietary requirements but this was delicious. Will be making again for sure.

    Reply
    • Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa says

      February 9, 2021 at 8:11 am

      Thanks for the kind feedback Laura ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. Laura says

    January 14, 2021 at 7:02 am

    5 stars
    I made this recipe exactly as written, and it was DELICIOUS!! I will be making this savory treat again soon. It’s also amazing on a hotdog with American cheese on top…. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  8. Nancy Angelo says

    March 26, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    When I was a you grade schooler in the early 1950’s, my friends’ mother made us “Wimpies” for lunch one day and I loved them. A few years later when I got interested in cooking, I asked her for the recipe for her Wimpies. It is very similar to yours except I use celery instead of green pepper and I don’t use chile flakes or powder. My kids ( that includes grands and greatgrands) love mine. I can’t wait to try your recipe on them. I wonder if anyone else ever heard of them being called “Wimpies”?

    Reply

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Recipe Rating




4.84 from 56 votes (49 ratings without comment)

Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

Welcome to The Forked Spoon! I’m Chef Jessica Randhawa, and for over 14 years, I’ve been crafting and sharing more than 1200 recipes, blending delicious flavors with practical kitchen tips and expert culinary advice to elevate your everyday cooking. Learn more about meโ†’

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